Council votes 7-4 on officer's pension report
Lowell councilors split 7-4 over a retirement board report opposing a disabled officer's pension bid. Former Sergeant Vincent Fernandez told the council a suspect "ran me over" in 2016, leaving him with a traumatic brain injury and PTSD; he has sought a "hero's retirement" for eight years.
City Council · Meeting of September 8, 2026
Lowell councilors split 7-4 over a retirement board report opposing a disabled officer's pension bid. Former Sergeant Vincent Fernandez told the council a suspect "ran me over" in 2016, leaving him with a traumatic brain injury and PTSD; he has sought a "hero's retirement" for eight years. Lowell Retirement Board Chairman William DeRosier said reclassifying Fernandez's pension would cost the system roughly $180,000 plus an $84,000 contribution refund, and said the state's new violent-act-injury law applies only prospectively.
Councilor Paul Mercier said Fernandez "opposes what was said by the chief." The council voted 7-4 to accept the board's report and place it on file; Councilors Rourke, Scott, Dakota and Liang voted no. The matter could return for a direct vote Sept. 22. Separately, the council voted 10-1 to study downtown "social districts" and unanimously barred printed utility-hearing packets going forward.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,054 words
Source: the City Council meeting of September 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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